Double jaw vise



Dec. 1, 1936.

- DOUBLE JAW VISE Filed July 30, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 I i y lllglllllll 7 72675072 12772272672. 5 lllll" 4 N. R. MINCH 2,062,326

Dec. 1, 1936. N. R. MINCH DOUBLE JAW VISE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 30, 1934 Patented Dec. 1, 1936 7 UNITED STATES DOUBLE J AW VISE Nelson R. Minch, Woodstock, Vt., assignor of forty-nine one-hundredths to George Baxter Upham, Claremont, N. H. 7

Application July 30, 1934, Serial No. 737,586

10 Claims.

This invention relates to vises, and more particularly has reference to an improved bench vise of the double jaw type.

Heretofore various forms of bench clamps have been devised for special purposes, but so far as I am aware, none have been of general application and embodied the improved features of the present invention. In previous designs of bench clamps, certain forms of special clamp jaw arrangements were provided, but none of the bench type having double jaws for firmly clamping a work piece at four points in the particular manner of this invention are in common and well known use.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved bench vise of general application having improved means for firmly clamping or gripping a work piece. Another object is to provide an improved bench vise of the double jaw type wherein two sets of clamping jaws are disposed in rectangularly related relation on a common base. Still another object is to provide an improved bench vise of the double jaw type having embodied therein improved jaw supporting means wherein an article may be extended through an opening in the supporting means and clamped at a point intermediate its ends in an improved manner. Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved vise sup-port having improved clamping means so arranged that a work piece of elongated form may be arranged in a vertical position in the vise jaws and clamped therein at any point between its ends, the improved vise having a novel arrange ment of clamping jaws whereby the work piece is firmly held in position at four points. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear in the following description and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration two forms which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one illustrative form of the improved double jaw vise.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the vise shown in Fig. 1.

7 Fig. 3 is a plan view of the vise shown in Fig. 2 50 looking in the direction of the arrowed line in Fig. 2. r

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of one of the vise jaws.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the vise 7 shown in Fig. 6, the view looking in the'direction of the arrowed line in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on line 8-8'of Fig. 6.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, there is'shown an improved double jaw vise of the bench type, generally designated I, and comprising a base frame or body 2 which constitutes a common support for the vise jaws and having formed integral therewith a depending frame portion 3 and an integral horizontal frame portion 4, the portions I 3 and 4 cooperating with the base B'of the vise body to form a lateral recess for receiving a suitable ledge-like support, herein a bench top indicated constructively at 6 in Figs. 1 and 2. The horizontal frame portion 4 has an integral threaded boss 1 with which there-is threadedly engaged a vertically arranged adjusting'screw 8 having a clamp element 9 engageable with the bottom of the bench top 6 for firmly clamping the vise to the bench with the vise body 5 lying against the top surface of the bench. The man-: ner of securing the vise in position on the bench top is commonin vises of thecommon single jaw type, and it will be understood that the improved vise may be secured to any suitable support in' any suitable manner.

The improved vise comprises twosets of inner and outer clamping jaws, a loweror inner set indicated generally at I0 and anupper or outer set indicated generally at I I one set arranged at right angles with respect to the other. The inner vise jaws comprise a stationary jaw l2 herein formed integral with the vise body2, while projecting horizontally from the vise body in alinement with the stationary jaw 12 is a horizontal guide mem-- her It, herein forming the bottom 5 of the vise body and overlying the bench top in the manner shown in Fig. 1, and this member I3 presents a horizontal guideway [4 for an adjustable vise jaw l5 herein guided for rectilinear movement along the guideway 54 toward and from the stationary jaw I2. The means for moving the adjustable jaw 15 comprises an adjusting screw l6 rotatably mounted in a bore l1 formed in the body portion of the stationary jaw l2 and having secured thereto at its outer end an operating handle l8, and this screw is threadedly engaged at 20 within the body.

' of the vise jaw 15. Now referring to the upper or 551 from the stationary jaw 22.

outer set of clamping jaws l I, it will be noted that formed integral with the vise body 2 is a stationary jaw 22, while extending horizontally from the Vise body in alinement with the stationary jaw 22 is a guide portion 23 herein arranged at right angles with respect to the guide portion l3 in the manner illustrated. The guide portion 23 has a horizontal guideway 24 on which is mounted an adjustable vise jaw 25, the latter being rectilinearly movable along the guideway 24 toward and The means for adjusting the jaw 25 comprises an adjusting screw 26, herein arranged with its axis at right angles with respect to the axis of the screw 16 and overlying the latter in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 2. This screw is journaled Within a bore 2'! formed in the body of the stationary jaw 22 and has secured thereto at its outer end an operating handle 28. The clamping portions of the outer vise jaws H overlie the inner vise jaws ill, the latter operating in a space 29 formed between the vise body and the outer jaws and arranged within the inner contour of the latter.

The improved double jaw vise is operated in the following manner: When it is desired to clamp a work piece firmly in position within the jaws, the adjusting screws I6 and 26 are operated to move the adjustable jaws l5 and 25 rectilinearly outwardly along their horizontal guideways l4 and 24, respectively, to the desired extent. A work piece is then inserted in the space so formed by the open jaws and the adjusting screws are thereafter tightened relatively to move the jaws to clamp firmly the work piece in position, the two sets of vise jaws acting to clamp the work piece firmly at four points, thereby eliminating all tendency of the work piece from slipping within the vise jaw grip. This is of particular importance when a cylindrical work piece is clamped in endwise relation with respect to the vise jaws, the vise jaws firmly gripping the cylinder at four sides. It will also be noted that by adjusting the sets of vise jaws to different extents, work pieces of various shapes, rectangular, square, polygonal, or round may be readily clamped in position and firmly held.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 6, '7, and 8, an improved double jaw vise is disclosed which is capable of clamping an elongated work piece in a vertical position at any point between its ends. This illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises a vise body herein generally square in shape having a square central opening 36, although it will be evident that the shape of the body may vary in accordance with the particular circumstances. This improved vise has two sets of inner and outer vise jaws, one set arranged on the body at right angles with respect to the other, an. outer set generally designated 3'! and an inner set generally designated 38, and these sets of vise jaws are in form and operation substantially the same as those described above. In this instance, the vise body 35 has projecting horizontally therefrom a guide portion 39 having a horizontal guideway 40 on which is slidably guided a vise jaw 41, and this adjustable jaw is movable toward and from a cooperating stationary jaw 42 herein formed integral with the vise body. The means for adjusting the movable jaw 4| toward and from the stationary jaw comprises an adjusting screw 43 threadedly engaged at 4 4 within the jaw body and journaled in a bearing 45 supported by a bracket 46 secured to the horizontal guide portion 39, as shown in Fig. 6. This adjusting screw has an operating handle 41.

The inner set of clamping jaws comprises a guide portion 59 projecting horizontally from the vise body 35 and arranged at right angles with respect to the guide portion 39. The guide portion 49 has a horizontal guideway 50 on which is mounted an adjustable vise jaw 5!. This vise jaw is operated by an adjusting screw 52 identical in design to the adjusting screw 43. The jaw 5| is movable along its guideway toward and from a stationary jaw 53 herein formed integral with the vise body 35. As in the form of the invention above described, the clamping portions of the outer jaws 4i and 42 overlie the inner jaws 5| and 53, the inner set of jaws being arranged in the space 54 between the outer jaws and the top side of the vise body, within the inner contour of the outer jaws. Indicated in construction lines in Fig. 6 at 55 is a suitable clamping device similar to the clamping device 3, 4, 8, and 9 in Fig. 1 for clamping the vise to a suitable support, such as a bench top, indicated at 56. This clamping device may be arranged in any suitable and desired manner with respect to the vise body.

This form of the improved double jaw vise operates in the following manner: The work piece is indicated at w, and when the jaws are in their open position as shown in plan in Fig. '7, the work piece to may be inserted in a vertical position through the jaws and the central opening 36 in the vise body, and the adjusting screws may be adjusted to move the adjustable jaws 5i, ll inwardly with respect to their cooperating jaws, thereby to clamp firmly the work piece in position, the four jaws engaging the work piece at four points, thereby to prevent slippage of the work piece within its grip.

It will be evident that in both embodiments of the invention the stationary jaws shown formed integral with the vise body may also be made adjustable, in the same manner as the jaws I5 and 25, with the vise body provided with four guide portions M, '24 having guideways along which the four adjustable jaws may be slidably guided, and if desired, each vise jaw may be provided with a separate adjusting screw similar to the screws I5 and 26 so that the jaws may be independently adjusted in any desired manner.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved bench vise is provided having improved clarnping means whereby a work piece may be firmly clamped in position. It will further be noted that an improved bench vise of the double jaw type is provided having two independent sets of gripping jaws and an independent adjusting means for each set whereby the sets of jaws may be individually operated. It will still further be evident that by the provision of two sets of clamping jaws, it is possible to grip a work piece at four points, thereby reducing the possibility of slippage of the work piece within its grip. These and other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described two forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a bench vise, a body having means for securing the vise to a bench, horizontal guideways formed integral with said body in the same horizontal planes and arranged at right angles, stationary vise jaws formed integral with said body in alinement with said guideways, respectively, one stationary jaw having its clamping portion overlying the clamping portion of the other stationary jaw, movable jaws guided on said guideways respectively, one movable jaw having its clamping portion overlying the clamping portion of the other movable jaw, and the clamping portions of said movable jaws cooperating with the clamping portions of said stationary jaws respectively, and means for moving said movable jaws along said guideways with respect to said stationary jaws.

2. In a bench vise, a body having means for securing the vise to a bench, horizontal guideways formed integral with said body in the same horizontal planes and arranged at right angles, stationary vise jaws formed integral with said body in alinement with said guideways respectively, one stationary jaw having its clamping portion overlying the clamping portion of the other stationary jaw, movable jaws guided on said guideways respectively, one movable jaw having its clamping portion overlying the clamping portion of the other movable jaw, and the clamping portions of said movable jaws cooperating with the clamping portions of said stationary jaws respectively, and means for moving said movable jaws along said guideways with respect to said stationary jaws comprising screws journaled in the bodies of said stationary jaws respectively and threadedly engaging the bodies of said movable aws.

3. A double jaw bench vise comprising a body having means for clamping the vise to a bench, outer jaw means comprising a stationary jaw integral with said body, a guideway projecting horizontally from the opposite side of the body in alinement with said stationary jaw, and a movable jaw guided on said guideway and movable into clamping engagement with said stationary jaw, said outer jaws being formed to provide a transverse opening beneath the same, and inner jaw means comprising a stationary jaw formed integral with said body and having a portion underlying said outer stationary jaw at right angles to the latter and projecting within said opening, a guideway projecting horizontally from the opposite side of the body from said inner stationary jaw in alinement with the latter and at right angles to said first mentioned guideway, and an inner movable jaw guided on said last mentioned guideway and having a portion underlying said outer movable jaw and projecting within said opening and movable into clamping engagement with said inner stationary jaw, and means for operating said inner and outer movable jaws, said inner and outer jaws engaging a work piece clamped therebetween at different points along its length.

4. A double jaw bench vise comprising a body having means for clamping the vise to a bench, outer jaw means comprising a stationary jaw integral with said body, a guideway projecting horizontally from the opposite side of the body in alinement with said stationary jaw, and a movable jaw guided on said guideway and movable into clamping engagement with said stationary jaw, said outer jaws being formed to provide a transverse opening beneath the same, and inner jaw means comprising a stationary jaw formed integral with said body and having a portion underlying said outer stationary jaw at right angles to the latter and projecting Within said opening, a guideway projecting horizontally from the opposite side of the body from saidinner stationary jaw in alinement with the latter and at right angles to said first mentioned guideway, and an inner movable jaw guided on said last mentioned guideway and having a portion underlying said means for clamping the vise to a bench, horizontal guideways formed integral with said body and arranged at right angles, an outer stationary jaw integral with said body in alinement with one of said guideways, an inner stationary ja-w integral with said body in alinement with the other of said guideways at right angles with respect to said other stationary jaw, inner and outer movable jaws guided on said guideways respectively and cooperating with said inner and outer stationary jaws respectively, the outer stationary and movable jaws having clamping portions overlying the clamping portions of the innor stationary and movable jaws, and means for moving said movable jaws along said guideways for clamping a work piece between said jaws.

6. A double jaw vise comprising a body having means for clamping the vise to a bench, horizontal guideways formed integral with said body and arranged at right angles, an outer stationary jaw integral with said body in alinement with one of said guideways, an inner stationary jaw integral with said body inalinement with the other of said guideways at right angles with respect to said other stationary jaw, inner and outer movable jaws guided on said guideways respectively and cooperating with sai'd inner and outer stationary jaws respectively, the outer stationary and movable jaws having clamping portions overlying the clamping portions of the inner stationary and movable jaws, and means for moving said movable jaws along said guideways for clamping a work piece between said jaws comprising screws journaled in the bodies of said stationary inner and outer jaws respectively and arranged parallel to and overlying said guideways, said screws threadedly engaging the bodies of said inner and outer movable jaws respectively.

7. In a double jaw vise, a body having means for clamping the vise to a bench and having an opening through which an elongated work piece is adapted to be inserted, a stationary outer jaw integral with said body at one sideof said opening, a stationary inner jaw integral with said body at another side of said opening and arranged at right angles with respect to said outer stationary jaw, horizontal guideways integral with said body and projecting at right angles with respect to each other at the opposite sides of said opening from said stationary jaws and in alinement with the latter, inner and outer movable jaws guided on said guideways respectively and movable into clamping engagementwith said stationary jaws respectively, said outer jaws when in closed position having their clamping portions overlying the clamping portions of said inner jaws, and means for moving said movable jaws along said guideways to clamp a work piece between all of said jaws.

8. In a double jaw vise, a body having means for clamping the vise to a bench and having an openingthrough which an elongated work piece is adapted to be inserted, a stationary outer jaw integral with said body at one side of said opening, a stationary inner jaw integral with said body at another side of said opening and arranged at right angles with respect to said outer stationary jaw, horizontal guideways integral with said body and projecting at right angles with respect to each other at the opposite sides of said opening from said stationary jaws and in alinement with the latter, inner and outer movable jaws guided on said guideways respectively and movable into clamping engagement with said stationary jaws respectively, said outer jaws when in closed position having their clamping portions overlying the clamping portions of said inner jaws, and means for moving said movable jaws along said guideways to clamp a work piece between all of said jaws comprising screws journaled in mounting means integral with said guideways and arranged parallel with and overlying the latter, said screws threadedly engaging said movable jaws.

9. In a double jaw vise, a body having means for clamping the vise to a bench, outer clamping jaws mounted on said body, inner clamping jaws mounted on said body at right angles to said outer jaws, the outer jaws being arranged to provide a transverse opening between the same and said body and said inner jaws arranged in said transverse opening beneath said outer jaws, said inner and outer jaws each including a stationary jaw integral with said body and a cooperating movable jaw, and horizontal guideways integral with said body and arranged at right angles in alinement with said stationary jaws respectively, said movable jaws guided on said guideways respectively, said jaws being so formed. and arranged as to clamp therebetween a work piece of smaller dimension than the width of the clamping portions of said jaws, and means for moving said movable jaws along their guideways into clamping relation with respect to said stationary jaws.

10. In a double jaw bench vise, a base adapted to be supported on a bench top and having means for clamping the same to the bench, said base having a horizontal guideway overlying the bench top, an integral stationary jaw on said base in alinement with said horizontal guideway, a movable jaw slidably guided on said guideway and movableinto clamping relation with said. stationary jaw, a horizontal guideway integral with said base at right angles to said guideway and arranged in the same horizontal planes, an integral stationary jaw in alinement with said right angle guideway, a movable jaw slidably guided on said right angle guideway and movable into clamping relation with said second mentioned stationary jaw, said last mentioned stationary and movable jaws having their clamping portions underlying the clamping portions of said first mentioned stationary and movable jaws and arranged in the space beneath the latter, said jaws being arranged on said base to provide an opening through the base whereby an elongated vertical work piece may be placed in clamping relation within said jaws, and means for moving said movable jaws along their respective guideways to clamp the work piece in position within said jaws, said first mentioned jaws clamping the work piece above and at right angles with respect to said second mentioned jaws.

NELSON R. MINCH. 

